FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                     August 21, 2007

TOWN OF CARY PREPARES TO WELCOME GUESTS FROM IRELAND THIS WEEK

Leaders from County Meath to learn about Cary ’s government and economic development

CARY , NC – A delegation of local government officials from Ireland arrives on Wednesday in Cary for a three-day visit with Town leaders and staff to learn more about Cary ’s government and economic development programs.  Made possible by the two communities’ Sister Cities relationship, the delegation from County Meath , Ireland includes Cathaoirleach (council chairman) Nick Killian and fellow council members Eugene Cassidy, Brian Fitzgerald, Seamus Murray and John Farrelly; County Meath ’s Director of Service Planning Liam Henry will also be visiting. 

“In Cary , we look forward to these sorts of visits where, through our exchange of knowledge and ideas, we have the opportunity to discover new and better ways to serve our community,” said Cary Mayor Ernie McAlister.

County Meath is located in eastern Ireland , just north of Dublin ; the county seat is Navan, a town outside of Dublin . Representatives from County Meath first visited Cary in 2003 as part of the Sister Cities program that focuses on cultural exchange, economic development, government, education, and athletics.  

While in Cary , the delegation’s activities will include the following:

Thursday, August 23

9 a.m.-5 p.m.              Luncheon at Cary Chamber of Commerce, tour of Cary business area by

Cary Chamber members

6:30 p.m.                     Recognition by the Cary Town Council at the Town Council meeting

Friday, August 24

9:30 a.m. - noon           Mayor Ernie McAlister, other elected officials and Town Staff welcome the

group and answer their questions at Page-Walker Arts & History Center , tour of Town facilities

Saturday, August 25

8:45 a.m.                     Introduction of the delegation to the Community at the 31^st Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival’s opening ceremony

The group will depart on Sunday, August 26.

Sister city, county and state affiliations between the United States and other nations began shortly after World War II and developed into a national initiative when President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed the "People-to-People" program at a White House conference in 1956. Originally a part of the National League of Cities, Sister Cities International (SCI) became a separate, nonprofit corporation in 1967 because of its tremendous growth and popularity.  

The Town of Cary ’s Sister City program began in 1992 with Le Touquet , France .  Since that time, the Town has built relationships with three additional Sister Cities including:  Hsinchu City , Taiwan ; Markham , Canada ; and County Meath , Ireland . 

For more information, visit the Sister Cities Commission at www.townofcary.org.   

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